Lady.. dang do I have to wear heels and have my nose up in the air.
Female: I can hear it now, Hey you female fetch this man a beer. ( can I say kiss my royal Irish behind, male)
Ma'am does sound like I'm an old bat.. ( age is just a number who is counting )
Hey you! sounds like I want to say "You talkin to me"

The term "women", in my opinion, should be used as opposed to "female". A "female" could be any species of animal, but the honourable title of "woman" applies only to humans. Being called a "woman" should be regarded as a great compliment, after all women are unquestionably the driving force of our civilization, women are the thinkers, the planners, the organizers. However, I have a theory - that the term "women" should not only apply to those who have had the good fortune to be born female, but a "male" who has the mental, emotional and spiritual qualities of a "female" should deserve the honour of being called a "woman".

This is an informal poll, I guess. I'm curious if there's any discussion regarding the question, "Do you have any feelings, reactions, or opinions regarding being called a 'female' rather than a 'woman'?"

I was just about to sign up for a spiritual retreat (with a group which I had only attended one of their meetings) when I read in their materials a sentence that went something like "Single men will room with men, single females with females."

This reference to men as men, and women as females appeared yet a second time in the literature, so it seemed to accrue an energy of intention about it. It made me uneasy. I recalled a French teacher, who, years ago, had a sort of speech about "only the Americans refer to their women with the livestock terminology 'female'. Women are NOT ANIMALS!"

I found myself agreeing with her, & have noted over the years that places/people who refer to women as 'female' often have a covert or overt prejudice or even disrespect for women. This seems even more evident when men are men, but women are females.

I'm MOST CURIOUS to get some feedback on this. Does anyone agree with me? Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

Thanks for your input!

Hi Miss Blythe,

I have no problem with being called a female at all. As I like the "fem" part of the word, ie feminine.
But I see your point.
But would add that men are animals and we are females.

I wouldn't have any problem with some text referring to men as males and women as females, but if it's a man/female thing, then I don't like it. I'm a female, but please refer to the other gender as male. I agree with you, Pantiepink.

This is just how I speak...it makes the words "even" in my head. I can't say "my male friend" and also say, "my girlfriend" in the same sentence because "male" and "girl" aren't equal terms in my head.

I more often use "male" than "man" anyway and I see "male" and "female" as scientific designations free from connotations. They're "sterile" words, words that don't include societal slants or vulgarity. They are simply definitions. A human can be defined as male or female, but adding in "man" or "woman" seems to carry with it emotions, expectations, and other things I don't care for. Male or female does not, it's just a description of sex (not even gender, just genitalia).